Georgia said: “He had been wrongly treated for four years when, in August 2015, he suddenly collapsed and underwent an emergency aortic valve replacement.

“His heart was operating at just eight per cent initially but he was seemingly getting a lot better and was going about life as usual until he tragically and very unexpectedly passed away.

Tom Harris, an Irish-born carpenter

“He had actually developed heart failure, not COPD, and this late diagnosis sadly cost him his life and left his family heartbroken.”

Animal lover Thomas was born in Ireland and lived in Worthing with wife Jill as committed vegetarians. They regularly supported PAWS Animal Sanctuary in Findon and Jill now continues this with the help of her children.

The family wants to raise awareness of conditions similar to Tom’s in the hope others may be spared the pain of losing a loved one due to misdiagnosis and wrong treatment.

Georgia added: “His life was cut short but, with the help of kind donations to this very worthy charity, we hope that his death will not have been in vain.”

The bike ride also raised several hundred pounds for PAWS, which was gratefully received.